disability info

[signerdreams]

Hi!

The end of may i am treating myself and my mom to a fully paid vacation. My mom has many neurological problems and can't walk on uneven ground (anything that is not completly flat including stairs). Her friend has a wheel chair she will be borrowing for the trip. Have any of you traveled with a person in a wheelchair? She can transfer out of her wheelchair to walk and to ride attractions, however she will need to be in the wheel chair as long as possible. Also, i have heard that some people get some people get a cerficate or card or something that they show cast members ...(my mom's friend was telling her more about this)...She can get a letter from her doctors but is this neccessary?

 

[magicalmemories]

I have traveled to WDW several times with my 11 year old in a wheelchair. She too has only short spurts that she can be w/o her chair. Everyone is very good about accomidating wheelchairs. Most attractions can be entered through the exit w/ little to no wait. I did also read about the card you can get from guest services, but we did not get one last spring. We just used the exits and spoke w/cast members at each attraction for specific needs. The bus service was great for wheelchairs. What can be a real hassle dealing with wheelchairs, Disney really does a good job to help. We even requested a handicaped room and it was really nice.

 

[tigsmom]

Contact barnum42 via PM. He wrote a wonderful post about traveling with somebody in a w/c. I'm sure a search would bring it up, but I don't remember the name of the thread. :wave:

 

[barnum42]

Contact barnum42 via PM. He wrote a wonderful post about traveling with somebody in a w/c. I'm sure a search would bring it up, but I don't remember the name of the thread. :wave:

Why thank you

Here's the linky:

http://forums.wdwmagic.com/showthread.php?t=42507

It was written in response to the angry posts where people thought you could fake the need for a wheelchair and automatically get to the front of the lines - which is a myth.

However it will let you know what to expect for a lot of attractions. You can also pick up specific guides for disabled guests and their parties from Guest Relations. They are free booklets that let you know how each attraction can be enjoyed by a wheelchair user.

Any specific questions - ask away :wave:

 

[signerdreams]

thank-you so much for responses. My mom is an elem. special ed. teacher. She stays on carpet all day and only has to walk 20 ft between the classrooms. However twice a day (once leaving and once coming) she is on tile and has to hold on to the side of the wall. With that in mind....

1) we don't to board every attraction in the wheelchair. Would it be easier/more convienant to park the wheelchair w/ the strollers and just have her hold on to me?

2) Do you have any tips or planning suggestings? Our trip is May 25-June 1.
One the 24th We will both take 1/2 day at work and travel 4 hours, stop attend worship services and leave early the next morning (around 4a) to head down to disney (all in all it should take us about 12 hours from my hours to wdw)

Thanks!!

 

[Monty]

The card from Guest Services is for access to wheelchair entrances of rides. I don't think you'd need the card if you're actually using a wheelchair. I had one the last trip, I have a skin graft on my heel that blisters easily when I'm walking a lot [unavoidable in WDW!] and standing in long wait lines is very painful for me once it starts. I had a Doctor's Certificate but Guest Services said "We're not doctors, we just take your word for it" and gave me the disability card.

It doesn't get you on every ride faster and some CMs treated it differently than others, but it was a godsend when lines were posted longer than 30 minutes [which is about the maximum I can tolerate when my heel's acting up]. I made a point of only using it when I needed to and if the CM wouldn't let me, I never made a fuss, I just did something else.

I also preferred to use FPs whenever I could rather than the card, because I didn't want to take unfair advantage.

 

[barnum42]

1) we don't to board every attraction in the wheelchair. Would it be easier/more convienant to park the wheelchair w/ the strollers and just have her hold on to me?

I think you've been to the thread I made about wheelchair users, so maybe you have found your answer there. The disabled visitor guide available free from Guest Relations (one guide for each park) will tell you ahead of time what to expect for each attraction.

Where you leave the wheelchair behind, the CMs will either let you know where to park it - for example Buzz Lightyear it's at the off-load point, Haunted Mansion is by the exit or on Pirates you fold the chair and a CM will place it in the row behind you.

 

[signerdreams]

thanks for the info. mom and i will be staying at pop century ( i have stayed here twice before and loved it) I am trying to find out as much info as i can b/c i have never been to wdw w/ someone in a wheelchair